I've learned you can be a very lazy gardener and still get a good crop. Just start with some good animal poo stirred into your dirt. Plug in the plant. Cover the dirt with mulch, really pile it on. No weeding.Keep it watered as needed, and hose the aphids off.
Voila.
Cannot wait.
Should I buy a blueberry bush? That will make five kinds of fruit out there... Yikes. Not too late.
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18 comments:
THREE CUPS OF STFU
Don't you need more than one blueberry bush for pollination? I say go for it. They're sort of cantankerous and the yield is hardly dramatic: but those little berries are soooooo good.
Definitely, plant a blueberry bush! I have a super recipe for lemon blueberry muffins that I will contribute to your first harvest. Not too sweet- you'd love 'em.
I'll take it the three cups of STFU aren't intended for commenters.
re: the blueberries. I do love them, and I do have seven of them planted, but there are downsides. First you need some pretty damn acidic soil. Seriously. Get yours tested and be prepared to buy a lot of sulphur. Second, there's no instant gratification, nor even somewhat soonish gratification. They take ~7-8 years to reach maximum production. Our 7 plants have been in the ground 2 or 3 years. We've got blooms (I think on the older plants, but can't quite remember), so we're hopeful we'll finally get some berries this year. We'll need to net them so the birds don't get them first.
Also, not to rain on your parade, but I'd check and make sure blueberries don't require colder winters than you've got. You may be fine, but I don't know. (Sorry.)
Kudzu, see, I don't know anything about growing the. Not even sue I like them, but Cranky does. Yeah, more than one bush makes sense.
Zoomie, one bush yields a half cup of berries!! I think we're just talking eating out of hand here.
Kate, there was a gardening story in the local paper on varieties that thrive in our less-cool zone. But, man, I didn't know they took so long to produce. I might not even be living here then. As for acid, I was thinking of growing them in containers with store bought dirt and redwood mulch. There's a dwarf that could work. If I do it! Thanks for the advice, STFU. :)
OTOH, I am getting grapes this year.
Kudzu, love the autocorrect in that reply? Aargh.
Kate, it's Southern Highbush, "Sunshine Blue." Self pollinating. I'monna look for one.
Fun to try, anyway - it just might work and, if it takes years, you can always move your potted bush with you to the next residence.
About the pollination: think it takes male and female plants. Like your mother said, "When they love each other, the mommy and daddy get very close, and then...."
Kate's right about slow production. I don't think I would have the patience. Buy them picked and ready! Plant something else.
Kudzu, I really think so. I'll plant flowers.
Kudzu, that "special hug." :)
Can I borrow a cup of STFU? I need to add it to the can of whoop-a$$ I'm about to open ;-)
Definitely blueberries if you're willing to move 'em to see the fruits of your care. I remember seeing posts about grapes and pears(?) in your yard. What about stone fruit? Cherries? Peaches? or are you looking for something more portable?
You could do something really esoteric like a quince bush...
My morning had 5 cups of STFU...BUT ANYWAY...
We have grapes, strawberries, blueberries, apples and peaches in addition to all the veggies. I had problems with bueberries in So Cal but they flourish here in Colorado. This year has been a bit tough due to the drought,but yes...blueberry bushes are a must.
My other problem is the local Bambi gang. Own little rural town has a gang of renegade deer that descend each spring and attempt to wipe out local gardens. I can't shoot a Bambi member but I do occassionally throw pot holders and sofa pillows at them just to get their attention. Bastards...
And one morning one of the local Bison got loose and he had a field day in our neighborhood before he got reincarcenated....just another day in paradise....
Yes to the Blueberries, we grew them in Canberra. Yum.
Also currents, beautiful fruit, pretty bushes!
Can't leave this one alone, it seems. How about quince? You get lovely early blossoms around Chinese New Year...and then that beautiful, scented fruit. And they're hardy.
"Special hug": don't you love that Kaiser commercial? Those little boys have such knowing eyes, when they answer toward the end.
Kudzu, I DO love that commercial. They seem to know what they are talking about. I will never understand the art of acting.
Quince. It's pretty and it smells good, but I don't think I'd get a lot out of the fruit. I could put one in the front yard, maybe. Deers never marauded the flowering quince (which did produce fruit) in Mill Valley.
Strawberries for the back? Why didn't I think of that?
Simply: I cannot beat bison! We have plenty of Bambis, but our backyard is fenced.
Nice orchard you've got going. I love love peaches. We have grapes, plums, pears and oranges. Lemons, too.
Blueberries are a must. The vote is now going in your favor.
Mouse: Yes to the blueberries. (Probably no to the passion fruit. Aren't they terribly seedy?) xx
I've never had a fresh currant. Hm!
Little Pots: Second vote for quince! I don't bake much, though... I'd love peaches, but so afraid I'd be overwhelmed. Our tree guy said we could easily grow almonds, wow. I think I'll stick to low landscape, though. And the container idea appeals.
Hey, I'm all out of STFU (just ask Cranky) but I can lend you a bag of baaad.
Greg, I just accidentally deleted your comment about being too busy to start a garden. Sorry!
I hope things settle down and you can get growing soon.
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